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Ch. 13 The Spinal Cord, Spinal Nerves, and Spinal Reflexes
Martini - Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology 11th Edition
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew11th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874089Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksMartini, Nath, Bartholomew 11th EditionCh. 13 The Spinal Cord, Spinal Nerves, and Spinal ReflexesProblem 14
Chapter 13, Problem 14

Reflex arcs in which the sensory stimulus and the motor response occur on the same side of the body are:
(a) Contralateral
(b) Paraesthetic
c) Ipsilateral
(d) Monosynaptic.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the terminology related to reflex arcs. Reflex arcs are neural pathways that control reflex actions, involving a sensory input and a motor output.
Step 2: Define 'contralateral' reflex arcs: these involve the sensory stimulus and motor response occurring on opposite sides of the body.
Step 3: Define 'ipsilateral' reflex arcs: these involve the sensory stimulus and motor response occurring on the same side of the body.
Step 4: Recognize that 'paraesthetic' is not a term used to describe reflex arc laterality, and 'monosynaptic' refers to the number of synapses in the reflex arc, not the side of the body involved.
Step 5: Conclude that reflex arcs where the sensory stimulus and motor response occur on the same side of the body are called 'ipsilateral' reflex arcs.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Reflex Arc

A reflex arc is the neural pathway that controls a reflex action, involving a sensory receptor, sensory neuron, integration center, motor neuron, and effector. It enables rapid, automatic responses to stimuli without conscious brain involvement.
Recommended video:
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Visceral Reflex Arcs

Ipsilateral Reflex

An ipsilateral reflex occurs when the sensory input and motor output happen on the same side of the body. This means the stimulus and response are localized to one side, such as the knee-jerk reflex.
Recommended video:
1:14
Reflex Arcs Example 3

Contralateral Reflex

A contralateral reflex involves a sensory stimulus on one side of the body and a motor response on the opposite side. This type of reflex helps coordinate actions between both sides, like the crossed extensor reflex.
Recommended video:
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Reflex Arcs Example 3
Related Practice
Textbook Question

The reflexes that control the most rapid, stereotyped motor responses to stimuli are

(a) Monosynaptic reflexes

(b) Polysynaptic reflexes

(c) Tendon reflexes

(d) Extensor reflexes

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Textbook Question

The contraction of flexor muscles and the relaxation of extensor muscles illustrate the principle of

(a) Reverberating circuitry

(b) Generalized facilitation

(c) Reciprocal inhibition

(d) Reinforcement

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Textbook Question

The synapsing of several neurons on the same postsynaptic neuron is called

(a) Serial processing

(b) Reverberation

(c) Divergence

(d) Convergence

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Textbook Question

Proceeding deep from the most superficial structure, number the following in the correct sequence:

(a) _____ walls of vertebral canal

(b) _____ dura mater

(c) _____ subdural space

(d) _____ epidural space

(e) _____ pia mater

(f) _____ arachnoid membrane

(g) _____ subarachnoid space

(h) _____ spinal cord

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Textbook Question

List, in sequence, the five steps involved in a neural reflex.

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Textbook Question

Polysynaptic reflexes can produce far more complicated responses than can monosynaptic reflexes because

(a) The response time is quicker.

(b) The response is initiated by highly sensitive receptors.

(c) Motor neurons carry impulses at a faster rate than do sensory neurons.

(d) The interneurons involved can control several muscle groups.

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